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Hello all, know me or not, I haven't been here in a LONG while... well I've started to loose interest in magic about 2 or 3 weeks ago, just didn't practice, seemed to stop... I guess I just need some moivation, what's my purpose for doing magic? why am I (not wasting, but you get what I mean) 'wasting' my time on tricks? what is my soul purpose?

I don't know what you guys might post in response, but I jsut felt like sharing that with you all.

David the Cryptic might remember me.. you guys may have no clue who I am, I jsut felt I would share that.

_skYrth_

EDIT: wondering what exactaly is mentalism... i did a search and got nothing really, can anybody explain this?

skYrth wrote:...what's my purpose for doing magic? why am I (not wasting, but you get what I mean) 'wasting' my time on tricks? what is my soul purpose?

I don't know what you guys might post in response, but I jsut felt like sharing that with you all.

David the Cryptic might remember me.. you guys may have no clue who I am, I jsut felt I would share that.

_skYrth_

That really is up to you to answer yourself. However, my questions back to you. Other than wasting time practicing... Did you ever perform? for parents, friends, anyone? If so, do you ever remember someone smilling and enjoying themselves?- Reason #1 to continue IMO.

If you had not peformed any of your tricks to anyone, then do so with something you've worked on.

it does end up boiling down to you. If you want to do it or not.

Good luck with the decision, and hope you continue.

I agree with what tk171 has said. Firstly if you think you are "wasting time" learning magic then don't do it. It's as simple as that. If you are not enjoying it then why take it any further?

I think the problem you are having is that you enjoy learning magic but you don't know why you are doing it yes? Well what you probably want to do it perform more. I can't say much more untill you respond, but just guessing from your age, I would say that you only really perform the odd trick to family or friends. Yes?

Most of the time we learn magic with the intent of performing it. It is true that somtimes one can be tempted to learn tricks that won't be used, but just for the "fun of it". This is ok, but I presume the problem you are having is that you are not performing your magic enough.

Why magic? Why golf., rugby or the Ramones? Now we all read in the books about magic being the gateway how to pull women open up doors etc etc in some cases this is true in others not. A lot of people see learning the art of magic as a journey. Where you end is up to you really the road is as long as you make. True motivation is how far do you want to go? and do you want to entertain.

Some people make an emotional stake in performing any art and not just magic but what if you don’t get back what you put in? its easy to be disharted. I use to be a body builder and I knew where my motivations lay with it. I wanted big arms and a killer chest etc. but one day I got fed up of putting some much effort in and not get anything out. Body building is tough with out help of steroids which I didn’t take but I digress. The reason I lost motivation in body building was quite frankly I got fed up. You lift the weight you put it down next week you try a heavier weight. Well how dose help in magic?

Magic as many branches to it. Maybe your just doing card magic. Try some coin magic or mentalist effects. There is enough scope in magic to find different branches or even do XCM for a few weeks a change is a good as rest.

And as others said maybe you need to perform more , that’s when you really get something out of the art is when you perform and get a reaction. that’s the main motivation in magic is to entertain and if you don’t find entertaining is for you there is no shame in trying something and not liking it. How do you know if something isn’t for you unless you try it? But first try a branch of magic you haven’t tried before and then take it the people.

thanks, especially to Markdini, maybe I do need to branch off from jsut coin and cards (it seems like you read my mind...) quick question.. what exactaly is mentalism? I'll go see if it's in Mark's complete corse to magic...

but I guess i jsut got bored with cardes and coins ( mainly cards). When I first got into magic, I said to myself, "I'm going to become the master of cards..." maybe I need to tgry somthing else, I'll look tghru the rest of my books.. who knows.

thanks

_skYrth_

Interesting read and some very interesting thoughts...

It's no secret that I've been involved with magic since the early 1960s and like yourself (and most folks I know in this business) I go through bouts of having no interest, wondering why I even try, etc. Twice in my long career I've sold the show lock-stock & barrel with the intent of never getting back into it and like the mafia, I get drug right back in whether I want to go or not... it's my passion, my first love, and the one thing I know better than just about anything else in life (and that's really a sad thought when you ponder it... talk about wasting time...)

But is it/was it a waste of time?

I use many of the techniques associated with my area of forte, in daily life; communication skills most folks never even give a second thought about and yet, they are so empowering to us even when we aren't doing "tricks" per ce, that I can't imagine what life would be without them... then again, I've always love the old Jedi Mind tricks :roll:

As I've shown numerous youngsters who are still in school, there are techniques in magic (especially mentalism) that can be readily applied to the learning of lessons be it math, language arts, psychology, science/chemistry, etc. The more we study and dig for such little tid bits, the more universal we find magic to be and that, in my hunble opinion, is what really makes it MAGICK!

Take time off, it's normal! Know that as time passes there will most likely come a time when you will re-discover magic, fall back in love with it and see how to do things differently and travel in new directions as a performer, be it as a vocation or just for the sake of fun. This is just how life works and just as there are those of us that down right loathe card tricks and professional sports, there are those that live by such things 24/7... it's just a matter of who YOU are and what you identify with best.

Enjoy the journey!

A great post Criag.

I agree that with everything in life, you occasionally need to take a break from whatever it is that you normally do. But does that mean that you lose interest?

I, and I suspect like many others often have a couple of weeks away from performing, practicing etc. but when returning I have increased enthusiasm for what I do or sometimes go off into a new direction.

If you don't feel motivated then leave it for a while and see how you feel in a few weeks time

ya I've learned form doing numerous card tricks how to memorize stuff in an instant, you know when you memorize a spectators card and such.. so magic has taught me alot.. (that was just one example) it has also made me a bit better in math.. my B has gone up to an A

so thanks again, especially form Craig and Dat

_skYrth_

ps still wondering what mentalism is... I did a searhc and didn't get a good defenition or anything.. just stuff saying "mentalism is a type of stage-magic" type of stuff... nothing like "mentalism is something were a magician does 'x' and [blank] with 'x'"

Well thats what I got

Mentalism is an ancient performing art in which the practitioner uses mental acuity, principles of stage magic and/or suggestion to present the demonstration or illusion of mind reading, psychokinesis, precognition, clairvoyance or mind control.

In short, you pretend to read the spectator's mind.

it is so much more than just 'reading someone's mind'. It is a highly involved area with many different effects, techniques etc.

ya after reading that and then finding the "mental magic" is actually mentalism, I've gotten into it.

OH! have to say... we've been invited to a surprise b-day party for our neighboors. PERFECT for maybe giving a routine.. or at least showing a person or seven a couple tricks you guys said that all i need is to give a routine or start showing people my tricks more often..

I'm in the process of mastering the Gypsy Mindreader (the psyconometry) I can't wait to see the looks on their faces

any tips or anything before the party starts at 8:00? (it's 6:25 now)

oh and don't worry about me not being able to do the mindreader.. I've been practicing this for like, a week and I feel pretty confident.

_skYrth_

Tips? ok! try to relax before the event. This will help you when you come to perform. Try to act natural throughtout the performance, all moves should be smooth. Remember what patter you are going to use, this will stop you stumbling for words and forgetting what to say. The best of luck and enjoy it.

THIRTY MORE MINUTES!!

getting all ready.. thanks stephen.. I don't want to get to over exited now it's like my first "show" in front of people I don't really know lol... still can't wait for th Gypsy Mindreader...

J0kerz wrote:Well thats what I got

Mentalism is an ancient performing art in which the practitioner uses mental acuity, principles of stage magic and/or suggestion to present the demonstration or illusion of mind reading, psychokinesis, precognition, clairvoyance or mind control.

In short, you pretend to read the spectator's mind.

Is it just me or does this seem to be the kind of explanation a novice would give?

I don't "pretend" to Read a person's mind and I'll lay money on it that Bob Cassidy and a small ton of others will tell you the very same thing. Fact of the matter is I AM a Mind or "Thought" Reader and though there are tricks to my trade, my trade is not composed of tricks... for that, you have to be a magician or prostitute, I'll leave it up to you to figure out whichever that might be.

The long quoted adage of using your natural five senses so as to create the illusion of a sixth isn't only inaccurate when it comes to the more scientific point of view on things, it is misleading when it comes to the theatrical side of it all as well.

Sorry for side-tracking this thread but I do take serious afront to this kind of perspective and worse, a would be "explanation" by folks that think they know what "Mentalism" is and in so doing, try to come off as an authority by regurgitating this kind of line.

By all means, you can mimick what a Telepathist claims to do by using magic tricks or devices of various sorts. But when you understand the performance psychology behind this side of the craft you will understand why it is so critical that you, as the performer, believe in your ability to do what it is you claim; it is not a trick and you do not see it as a trick e.g. you are not presenting it as a trick. Rather, you are merely being what you claim; the guy or gal that can divine unspoken thoughts, discern the karmic influences of someone's aura or channel disembodied entities who are willing to share messages with the living.

Not understanding this and how it can make or break you in performance, is just one of those little things that will forever prevent the typical magic junkie from ever evolving into a solid Psychic Entertainer... hate sounding so cold but not everyone is cut out for it; just as I'll never be a great manipulator or card guy (because things about those areas ellude me) you may be of the ilk to never comprehind what I see and understand about grand illusion or mentalism and its varied forms. The real trick is, learning what our niche is vs. being led by our wants and dreams.

(disregarding the last post made by craig.. haven't yet finished reading it.)

The partry went great! I am so totally back into magic again I'm a little dissapointed I couldn't pull off my Gypsy Mindreader.. never got around to it.. but other than that, the party was GREAT! not jsut my act, but the whole party... but mainly my act I can't wait for the next party I go to lol

_skYrth_